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If you have not had many interactions with persons with disabilities, you may not know exactly how to act. For example, you may ask yourself “how do I talk to someone in a wheelchair?” or “how do I interact with someone who is blind or deaf?” This article provides some guidelines to ensure respectful and equal treatment of people with disabilities.

Things to remember

Individuals with disabilities are people!

Individuals with disabilities are whole people!

They expect to be treated with the same dignity and respect that you do.

Just because someone has a disability does not mean he/she is disabled.

Disability Etiquette

Remember, he/she is a person, NOT a disability.

Never patronize them by patting them on the head or back.

Offer to shake their hand, even if it appears as if they have limited use of their arms or have an artificial limb. Simply the gesture will help them feel accepted and create a warmer environment for communication.

For those who cannot shake hands, lightly touch the individual on the shoulder or arm to welcome their presence.

Look at and speak directly to the person, not through a companion, care-taker, or interpreter.

Treat adults as adults.

Don’t apologize if you use an expression such as “I gotta run” or “See you later” that relates to the person’s disability. These expressions are part of everyday language and it is likely the apology will be more offensive than the expression.

Don’t pet or feed service animals or guide dogs as they are working.

When giving directions, make sure you consider things such as the weather, locations of ramps/curb-cuts, and other physical obstacles that may hinder travel for individuals with disabilities.

Speech Disability Etiquette

Never assume….many people mistakenly identify these individuals as being mentally retarded or mentally ill. Make sure to be patient in finding out which communication method works best for them.

Be 100 percent attentive when conversing with an individual who has difficulty speaking.

If you are in a noisy and/or crowded environment, don’t panic. Just try and move to a quieter location to talk.

Let them complete their own sentences. Be patient and do not try to speak for them. Do not pretend to understand; instead, tell them what you do understand and allow them to respond.

Do not be corrective, but rather, encouraging.

When necessary, it’s OK to ask short questions that require short answers.

Wheelchair Etiquette

Things to Remember

Individual who use wheelchairs may require different degrees of assistance.

Some who use wheelchairs may also use canes or other assistive devices and may not need his/her wheelchair all the time.

Do not automatically assist the individual without permission. It is ok to offer assistance. However, if the offer is not accepted, respect his/her request!

If you will be speaking with an individual in a wheelchair for more than a couple minutes, find a place where you can sit down to give the individual a more comfortable viewing angle.

A person’s wheelchair is part of his/her own personal space. Never move, lean on, rock, or touch his/her wheelchair without permission. In addition to being rude, it can be dangerous.

Do not assume that having to use a wheelchair is a tragedy. Wheelchairs can be a means of freedom to fully engage in life.

Hearing Disability Etiquette

Do not shout at a hearing impaired person unless they request you to. Just speak in a normal tone but make sure your lips are visible.

Keep conversations clear and find a quiet location to communicate.

If you are asked to repeat yourself, answering “nothing, it’s not important” implies the person is not worth repeating yourself for. It is demeaning; be patient and comply.

Show consideration by facing the light source and keeping things (such as cigarettes or your hands) away from you mouth while speaking.

Visual Disability Etiquette

When meeting someone with a visual disability, identify yourself and others with you (e.g. “Jane is on my left and Jack is on my right.”). Continue to identify the person with whom you are speaking.

If you go out to dinner with an acquaintance with a visual disability, ask if you can describe what is on the menu and what is on his/her plate.

When walking with someone with a visual impairment, offer them your arm for guidance. They will likely keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.

(Taken from the University of Northern Iowa’s Office of Compliance and Equity Management)